Microsoft launches volunteer campaign with rollout of Windows 10

Updated 2:20 pm, Wednesday, July 29, 2015

Photo: Houston Chronicle

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Microsoft releases Windows 10 on July 29, 2015. This critical version of Windows restores some features from Windows 7, but still propels the platform forward. Here are 10 features you'll love in Windows 10.

Microsoft releases Windows 10 on July 29, 2015. This critical version of Windows restores some features from Windows 7, but still propels the platform forward. Here are 10 features you'll love in Windows 10.

Photo: Houston Chronicle

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The best new feature: It's free! Well, for a year, and then only if you're running Windows Vista, Windows 7 or Windows 8.x.

The best new feature: It's free! Well, for a year, and then only if you're running Windows Vista, Windows 7 or Windows 8.x.

Photo: Houston Chronicle

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Windows Hello uses face recognition to log into the operating system, but you'll need an advanced camera with infrared capabilities. It will also allow you to use a fingerprint sensor.

Windows Hello uses face recognition to log into the operating system, but you'll need an advanced camera with infrared capabilities. It will also allow you to use a fingerprint sensor.

Photo: Microsoft

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Everything old is new again! Microsoft brings back the Start menu, but grafts the Live Tiles from Windows 8 onto it.

Everything old is new again! Microsoft brings back the Start menu, but grafts the Live Tiles from Windows 8 onto it.

Photo: Microsoft

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Got an Xbox One? You'll be able to stream your games across your home Wi-Fi network to your PC or Windows 10 tablet.

Got an Xbox One? You'll be able to stream your games across your home Wi-Fi network to your PC or Windows 10 tablet.

Photo: Microsoft

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There's a new Photos app that also syncs across devices.

There's a new Photos app that also syncs across devices.

Photo: Microsoft

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Here's another back-to-the-future feature: You can now run the so-called "Modern" apps in a window.

Here's another back-to-the-future feature: You can now run the so-called "Modern" apps in a window.

Photo: Microsoft

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The Cortana personal assistant, first seen in Windows Phone, comes to Windows 10. In fact, the entire search feature is now called Cortana.

The Cortana personal assistant, first seen in Windows Phone, comes to Windows 10. In fact, the entire search feature is now called Cortana.

Photo: Microsoft

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Microsoft's vision is of one operating system that works on all kinds of devices, with apps and their documents available across platforms. This is called Continuum.

Microsoft's vision is of one operating system that works on all kinds of devices, with apps and their documents available across platforms. This is called Continuum.

Photo: Microsoft

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Microsoft's new Edge browser is not Internet Explorer with a new name. Microsoft has started from scratch to create a simpler, leaner browser focused on utility - such as being able to annotate Web pages with drawings and text. (And yes, IE is still present for backwards compatibility.) less

Microsoft's new Edge browser is not Internet Explorer with a new name. Microsoft has started from scratch to create a simpler, leaner browser focused on utility - such as being able to annotate Web pages with ... more

Photo: Houston Chronicle

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Virtual desktops finally is a built-in part of Windows.

Virtual desktops finally is a built-in part of Windows.

Photo: Microsoft

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The Task View button is the Task Switch on steroids.

The Task View button is the Task Switch on steroids.

Photo: Microsoft

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The Action Center is where you'll find notifications and information about your system. There are also important settings - such as switching to tablet mode or changing brightness levels - available quickly

The Action Center is where you'll find notifications and information about your system. There are also important settings - such as switching to tablet mode or changing brightness levels - available quickly

Photo: Microsoft

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Virtual desktops are finally built into Windows.

Virtual desktops are finally built into Windows.

Photo: Microsoft

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Microsoft's OneDrive gets great integration in Windows 10. OneDrive-enabled apps - such as Office - can save documents to it, making them available anywhere you are.

Microsoft's OneDrive gets great integration in Windows 10. OneDrive-enabled apps - such as Office - can save documents to it, making them available anywhere you are.

Photo: Microsoft

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The updated Mail app has strong support for Microsoft Exchange, and has a clean, simple look.

The updated Mail app has strong support for Microsoft Exchange, and has a clean, simple look.

Photo: Microsoft

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A new Calendar app syncs across various accounts.

A new Calendar app syncs across various accounts.

Photo: Microsoft

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Microsoft launches volunteer campaign with rollout of Windows 10

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To kick off the launch of Windows 10 -- the latest incarnation of the 30-year-old operating system -- Microsoft has turned out hundreds of employees into volunteer service projects Wednesday, the beginning of a yearlong initiative.

"Upgrade Your World," as the company is calling the launch day program and the broader initiative, has nearly 2,000 employees (and some executives) heading out to 80 different service projects at area nonprofits to give a little back to the community, officials said.

Getting out into community programs will give Microsoft employees a chance to make a deeper connection with the area while also helping out, said Terry Myerson, executive vice president of Operating Systems and Devices Group at Microsoft.

"I don't know what impact we'll have in the community today, but if we can connect our team with the community in some richer way, that will have an impact over years," Myerson said.

The program was conceived through Microsoft's long partnership with The Seattle Foundation and and United Way of King County, said Tony Mestres, president and CEO of The Seattle Foundation.

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Windows 10 launched in 190 countries Wednesday morning, and Microsoft is celebrating at stores around the world. The new software is a sweeping version, with such a variety of apps and interfaces that experiences will vary widely.

But the building of the new system utilized feedback from Windows Insiders and a variety of other users, so the initiative is meant to link back to that connection, Myerson said.

"We really built the product with people, we want to celebrate it with people," he said.

Mestres said the volunteer work would be good for an area that has a lot of inequity, despite the recent boom.

"It is a community that needs its corporate citizens to do the type of thing that Microsoft is doing today, which is really putting its money where its mouth is and anteing up its corporate support and employees' passion to make a difference," Mestres said.

Mestres said he believe the initiative marks a serious commitment by Microsoft -- not just a "check in the box" -- and well it may be.

Microsoft may or may not repeat the event with future product launches, Myerson said.

"I think we've got a lot to learn," he said. "We're doing something entirely new and I think the best thing we can do is really embrace it, listen to the feedback from the community, from the employees in the Seattle area...and then decide what's next."